Patriots' Day (aka Marathon Monday) is celebrated in Boston today. This is great if you are (a) no gainfully employed (b) a student (c) a marathon runner (d) a member of the Red Sox organization
and, judging by the time I spent standing in the bitter early April morning wind at the bust stop today, (e) the majority of the MBTA bus fleet.
Thank goodness bus 184 was in operation, or I would be posting this from my cellphone still standing at the bus stop instead of my cubicle.
-t
PS, Patriots' Day is not great if you are (f)(*ing) gainfully employed and have to navigate the public transit system or roadways while the entire rest of the city takes the day off to get drunk on Beacon street.
Showing posts with label Red Sox. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Red Sox. Show all posts
Monday, April 19, 2010
Thursday, July 09, 2009
On Improving The Allstar Game
Some quick thoughts on changes to the MLB Mid-Summer Classic
Other ideas? Make them hit with old school bats that weigh forty pounds like Ruth and Mantle did? Pull a fan randomly from the seats to manage the bullpen or draw up the batting order? Play with tennis balls and plastic bats? Everyone plays the game with their glove on the wrong hand! Others?
-t
- Belly-Itchers - I've mentioned this here before: Don't let All-Star pitchers pitch, it's boring. Sure, Halladay striking out five of six batters is a demonstration of talent, filthiness, or further proof that he is the dominant right-hander of his generation, but, as Glavine and Maddux put it, "Chicks dig the long ball"
So, instead of Greinke, Halladay, Santana, Marquis, etc, the game should be thrown by middle-of-the-road relievers: the Farnesworths, the Julian Tavarezes, and back-of-the-rotation starters: Wang, Matsuzaka, Willis.
Poorer pitching means more hitting which also means more defense, and who doesn't like defense? Instead of one or two good looking double plays, we'll get dozens of sprinting dives, bare-handed grabs, near-collisions, and daring stabs at liners in the hole. - School-yard Pick-em - Plunk Everyone has the run down on this. Basically, fans vote, as they do now, but the leading vote-getter from each league becomes the captain of their squad and picks from the rest of the all stars, from both leagues. There should be a special award for the all-star picked last.
- Home Run Catching Contest - This might need to be moved off-venue, but I would love to see a 600-foot outfield fence for the Home Run Derby patrolled by All Star outfielders. Any hitter that gets it past the 410 mark gets credit for a home run, but, if Ellsbury or Ichiro or Hunter can track it down and catch it, they win $500 (or something, incentivize it anyway you want, I'd just love to see these guys be awesome when they don't have to worry about running into a fence at full-tilt.
- Wiffle-Ball! - Make the AL and NL pitching staffs play each other in a wiffleball game before the HR derby. This is brilliant. They can use the short fence from the celebrity softball game. Imagine seeing major leaguers make a wiffleball dance? Alternately, if you're worried throwing a 3 oz. plastic ball will screw up their mechanics, they won't pitch, just hit and field. We'll have a couple position players pitch. Swisher, Kapler, Lowell. In fact, if a position player has been called in to pitch at any point in the first half, they get an automatic pass to the All-Star Pitchers' Wiffleball game.
Other ideas? Make them hit with old school bats that weigh forty pounds like Ruth and Mantle did? Pull a fan randomly from the seats to manage the bullpen or draw up the batting order? Play with tennis balls and plastic bats? Everyone plays the game with their glove on the wrong hand! Others?
-t
Friday, June 20, 2008
SauvignYoouuk Blanc (Red Sox Wine)
Last night was our company outing. Almost exactly like last year's. This time, though, in addition to the batting cages, booths for henna tatoos, caricatures, psychic readings, and green-screen photographs, they had a wine bar. There had to be sixty bottles of wine opened and waiting for us. They were serving the wine in the giant red cups you find at beruit tournaments, full.
But, nobody was drinking any wine, since, after all, it's ballpark themed, there are burgers, hot dogs, fries, cheeseburgers, and giant pretzels everywhere, and free beer; people were drinking the beer. Not the wine.
So, at the end of the night at last call, when there were still fifty open bottles of wine sitting full on the table of the wine station, I asked for one. Bottle.
"Hey, excuse me," I called over the ridiculously loud DJed music, "can I get a bottle?"
"A bottle?"
"Yes."
"Um...empty, or full?"
Hmm.
"Full."
So he gave me one. Sweet, right?
Anyway, I was pretty drunk on free beer at that point of the night so I'm not really sure what happened to the full bottle of chardonay I was carrying. I know I didn't bring it home on the train, and I had some difficulties sneaking it into the after-party bar. But the point wasn't to drink it, it was to ask for it in the first place.
-t
3
Monday, April 14, 2008
Big Papi/Yankees: Clubhouse Curse
Punk construction worker buries a David Ortiz jersey in the floor of the visitor's clubhouse in the new Yankee Stadium.
David Ortiz is in the slump of his career, hitting 0.070, just one hit in his last 29 at bats.
Superstitious Yankees dig up the Ortiz jersey.
I posit, that the jersey did not, in fact, jinx the Yankees, but rather, jinxed our favorite home town slugger, Mr. David Ortiz, and THEREFORE when he re-enters the lineup he WILL TEAR IT UP.
So, please, a message to Sox fans who happen to be working construction, STOP TRYING TO JINX THE YANKEES. It's going to backfire. That's karma. Educate yourselves.
-t
David Ortiz is in the slump of his career, hitting 0.070, just one hit in his last 29 at bats.
Superstitious Yankees dig up the Ortiz jersey.
I posit, that the jersey did not, in fact, jinx the Yankees, but rather, jinxed our favorite home town slugger, Mr. David Ortiz, and THEREFORE when he re-enters the lineup he WILL TEAR IT UP.
So, please, a message to Sox fans who happen to be working construction, STOP TRYING TO JINX THE YANKEES. It's going to backfire. That's karma. Educate yourselves.
-t
22
One-Eyed Frank
Sam and I planned to atten a performance Saturday night at the Improv Asylum. Before we got there, though, we had to get there.
We had tickets for the eight o'clock show. The Red Sox played at 3:45PM. Plenty of time, I thought, even with the average Sox/Yanks game lasting 3.5 hours.
Around about the fourth inning it started raining outside the apartment, the rain headed into the city of Boston, no doubt, the torrent certain to cause a delay unless they wrapped up the next three innings in ten pitches or so (not going to happen with Youk, Drew, Pedroia, Manny...)(ok, with that lineup, it's not going to happen unless Lugo bats nine times in a row).
The rain holds off, until the eighth, just as they call Papelbon in for a four out save. Downpour - out comes the tarp.
We can't stay for the end of the game and still make the improv show, so we head to the train, and I call some people to make sure I get updates on the Fenway situation throughout the night.
As we arrive at the train station I calculate that we have exactly enough time to get on the train, ride to Haymarket, and pick up our tickets.
What I forgot to factor in was the shuttle bus running in place of the train on the Orange Line (every weekend from here to the end of time, it seems).
Luckily, for us, the herky-jerky bus trip didn't delay us overmuch, and the Improv show started nearer 8:05PM, so we had no trouble grabbing some drinks and finding our seats.
The show was hilarious.
-AND- they totally used one of my suggestions for a bit!
Ok, so the crowd was a bit...lackluster. The majority of folks were attached to a tame bachelorette party (who knew beforehand that the Improv players were going to call up the bride-to-be for an embarassing skit, which seemed to be the only part of the show they were really into), and there were also some elderly grandmother types (one who couldn't stop herself grooving to the hip-hop beat laid down by the DJ between sketches).
There was also a family celebrating their son's fourteenth birthday who gets nominated for "Line of the Night" with his response to the Improv actress asking why he hadn't been calling her: "Well, I've been kinda busy, it's tax time." The kid's quick on his feet.
Anyway, as they came back from intermission they called out to the audience to suggest a location that would fit on the stage. I yelled out (so as not to be drowned out by the non-existent participation from the rest of the audience) "Pirate ship!" and the MC turned and was all "YES! Your shit is totally on top of it tonight! Awesome!"
The skit highlighted a be-hooked unlucky-in-love pirate captain named One-Eyed Frank.
So that was pretty cool.
On thetrain bus home Samantha and I sat next to a drunk baseball fan. How'd we know he was a baseball fan? As he blearily eyed the passengers on the bus, he raised his fist in solidarity with an older woman in a Yankee warm-up jacket. "You're a Yankee fan?" he slurred, "We're outnumbered here."
He then went on to describe to the man sitting opposite that he had grown up next door to Manny Ramirez in New York, and Manny used to hang out with him as a kid. And play baseball with him. And...fell asleep.
Go Sox.
We had tickets for the eight o'clock show. The Red Sox played at 3:45PM. Plenty of time, I thought, even with the average Sox/Yanks game lasting 3.5 hours.
Around about the fourth inning it started raining outside the apartment, the rain headed into the city of Boston, no doubt, the torrent certain to cause a delay unless they wrapped up the next three innings in ten pitches or so (not going to happen with Youk, Drew, Pedroia, Manny...)(ok, with that lineup, it's not going to happen unless Lugo bats nine times in a row).
The rain holds off, until the eighth, just as they call Papelbon in for a four out save. Downpour - out comes the tarp.
We can't stay for the end of the game and still make the improv show, so we head to the train, and I call some people to make sure I get updates on the Fenway situation throughout the night.
As we arrive at the train station I calculate that we have exactly enough time to get on the train, ride to Haymarket, and pick up our tickets.
What I forgot to factor in was the shuttle bus running in place of the train on the Orange Line (every weekend from here to the end of time, it seems).
Luckily, for us, the herky-jerky bus trip didn't delay us overmuch, and the Improv show started nearer 8:05PM, so we had no trouble grabbing some drinks and finding our seats.
The show was hilarious.
-AND- they totally used one of my suggestions for a bit!
Ok, so the crowd was a bit...lackluster. The majority of folks were attached to a tame bachelorette party (who knew beforehand that the Improv players were going to call up the bride-to-be for an embarassing skit, which seemed to be the only part of the show they were really into), and there were also some elderly grandmother types (one who couldn't stop herself grooving to the hip-hop beat laid down by the DJ between sketches).
There was also a family celebrating their son's fourteenth birthday who gets nominated for "Line of the Night" with his response to the Improv actress asking why he hadn't been calling her: "Well, I've been kinda busy, it's tax time." The kid's quick on his feet.
Anyway, as they came back from intermission they called out to the audience to suggest a location that would fit on the stage. I yelled out (so as not to be drowned out by the non-existent participation from the rest of the audience) "Pirate ship!" and the MC turned and was all "YES! Your shit is totally on top of it tonight! Awesome!"
The skit highlighted a be-hooked unlucky-in-love pirate captain named One-Eyed Frank.
So that was pretty cool.
On the
He then went on to describe to the man sitting opposite that he had grown up next door to Manny Ramirez in New York, and Manny used to hang out with him as a kid. And play baseball with him. And...fell asleep.
Go Sox.
23
Monday, March 31, 2008
MLB Boston Red Sox 2008 Preview
2008 Red Sox Preview:
Offense:
Manny's the comeback kid this year, I expect above average HRs and RBIs this season, I expect the Sox pick up his option for next year, and he'll continue opening up to the media revealing, slowly but surely, that we really haven't been missing all that much.
Ortiz will recover nicely from the minor knee clean-up and will be the clutch hitter we've all come to expect. I dig the new longer hair and am putting the over-under on new beard styles at seven.
Pedroia and Ellsbury will start slow and level off at just over and just under.300 this year, respectively. We'll see 35 steals from Ellsbury and Lugo will be just behind him with 32.
More of the same from Youk, a sharp decline from Varitek (~.215), a decline in home run power from Lowell (though we'll still see the doubles and average).
Finally, the Moss, Crisp, and Drew platoon will be awkward for a month-and a half while Drew hovers near the Mendoza line, Crisp dips below it, and Francona can't justify defering to Drew's monster contract to keep Moss on the bench with a .310 average. After that we'll see Crisp released or traded for thirty cents on the dollar (couple-a minor leaguers, low draft pick or PTBNL) and Drew start to pick up that giant green f-ing wall in left field and turn into a double machine. Moss will be a good pinch-hitter off the bench and spell Ellsbury in center when needed.
Defense:
I'd like to start the 2008 Defensive Preview by stating that COCO CRISP WAS TOTALLY ROBBED OF THE GOLD GLOVE IN 2007! THEFT OF THE HIGHEST ORDER AND YOU VOTERS SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSEVES.
Ok, I predict that this year Youk will make some errors, Lowell will not boot 27 balls in the first two weeks of home games, Ellsbury will misjudge a few more fly balls in the triangle, Manny will still surprise runners with his arm (and national announcers with his high OF assist numbers), and Cash will be better than expected catching Wake.
Pitching
The Red Sox training staff should be commended for handling Beckett's back spasms as patiently and cautiously as they have. Slowing down the franchise pitcher's recovery can only help in the long run. We'll see him get roughed up in his first few starts (but I expect the big bats will be out in force and help kick-start his win total); we'll see him start to surge near the All-Star break, and finish strong through September.
Matsuzaka, though, will be another story. Until he stops nibbling and only throws what Varitek calls for, he's going to get hit all over the place. An ERA north of five isn't out of the question in the first half of the season. Expect quality starts and not much else. (Once he does start listening to Tek, though, he'll be absolutely lights out).
Buccholz has to work through rookie jitters. If he can lower expectations for himself, and just try for some quality starts I think we'll see him come into his own as the season progresses.
Colon is going to be the surprise pick-up of the season, the way he's been throwing the ball could see him get ten wins if he keeps a spot in the rotation (subbing for Buchholz early on, and Lester later).
And speaking of Lester, I fear the national media, and Boston sports radio, will continue to harp on his performance, expecting the next coming of Sandy Koufax, and lambasting him for being (just) a decent third or fourth starter. As always, if Lester can keep the ball in the zone he will be fine. He is his own worst enemy. (Though, you Sox fans may recall, when Lester was first called up for some spot starts he seemed to walk the bases loaded and then pitch brilliantly to get out of the jam. He was a left-handed Houdini with runners in scoring position. I therefore move that Francona calls for two intentional walks at the begining of every inning Lester's on the mound (or, to keep the pitch count down, intentional catcher's interference) and then we'll see some Cy Young caliber pitching!).
Wakefield will eat up innings and keep hitters guessing. I should go buy a Wakefield jersey.
Bullpen:
Papelbon will anchor a solid 'pen much like last year. We'll see more of Delcarmen in a set-up role, and Okajima will be used more as a specialist at the back end of the sixth and early seventh innings. I expect Brian Corey to make the roster, though I'd rather have Lopez, as I doubt he'd make it through waivers to Pawtucket. Timlin should be fine after his finger laceration recovers, and I'm sure the staff will watch him for signs of fatigue after the midpoint of the season.
Final numbers for the hurlers:
Beckett: 19-7 3.18
Matsuzaka: 16-13 4.80 (will lead the team in walks)
Lester: 15-14 4.40
Wakefield: 17-16 5.00
Buchholz: 12-6 3.33
Colon: 10-4 3.60
Papelbon: 2-2-33 1.70
Delcarmen: 3-1-5 2.00
Okajima: 3-0-2 2.50
Additional thoughts:
Colon will be the biggest (ha) story of the first half; Matsuzaka-mania will, again, control the media and merchandising; I expect good things from Moss, he's not too far away from an every-day position; Ellsbury's bat will heat up after an initial slump and his speed will continue to wow crowds; Papelbon will get progressively crazier off the mound (and stay just as scary on); Epstein will get shafted on the Crisp deal, because there isn't any way around it.
Standings:
I think Toronto's pitching could give us trouble, we've seen the Sox bat's go north and turn cold before, and Tampa will be trouble, Orioles will wind up dead last, and the Yankees, they are what they are, and I'm already sick of Steinbrenner the Second mouthing off.
| American League | Natinal League | |
|---|---|---|
| Angels win the West | Padres win the West | |
| Tigers win the Central | Cubs win the Central | |
| Sox win the East | Mets win the East | |
| Indians win the Wild Card | Phillies win the Wild Card* |
*I'd like to pick the Reds as a surprise Wild Card winner, but every single arm on Dusty Baker's pitching staff is going to fall off by September.
Leave your thoughts in the comments.
-t
Monday, March 24, 2008
Very Important Information concerning March 25, 2008
A list of Boston Bars open for the Red Sox season opener in Japan, tomorrow, Tuesday March 25, 2008, at 6 AM Eastern (from Boston You're My Home via U-hub):
Game On at 82 Lansdowne St at 5:30 AM
Daisy Buchanan’s at 240 Newbury at 6 AM
Anchovies at 433 Columbus Avenue at 6 AM
Pour House at 907 Boylston St at 5:30 AM
The Avenue at 1249 Commonwealth, Allston at 6 AM
(check the link above for updates in the comments section)
By law alcohol service cannot begin before 8AM which should leave all you Sox fans plenty of time to get wasted before heading to work at the usual hour.
That's all for now.
-Tom
Game On at 82 Lansdowne St at 5:30 AM
Daisy Buchanan’s at 240 Newbury at 6 AM
Anchovies at 433 Columbus Avenue at 6 AM
Pour House at 907 Boylston St at 5:30 AM
The Avenue at 1249 Commonwealth, Allston at 6 AM
(check the link above for updates in the comments section)
By law alcohol service cannot begin before 8AM which should leave all you Sox fans plenty of time to get wasted before heading to work at the usual hour.
That's all for now.
-Tom
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Allegedly, the list of players named in the Mitchell Report on Steroid/HGH in MLB
I don't have any problem publishing this list. It was forwarded to me, through email, by a guy "who knows a guy, who knows a guy" in MLB. Or something.
Probably not a big deal, as I doubt I'm going to get significant traffic between the time I post this and the release of the actual report by Senator George Mitchell.
I forwarded it to Samantha and to my dad, because I figured they'd be interested.
Anyway, here's the list:
"Brady Anderson, Manny Alexander, Rick Ankiel, Jeff Bagwell, Barry Bonds, Aaron Boone, Rafaeil Bettancourt, Bret Boone, Milton Bradley, David Bell, Dante Bichette, Albert Belle, Paul Byrd, Wil Cordero, Ken Caminiti, Mike Cameron, Ramon Castro, Jose and Ozzie Canseco, Roger Clemens, Paxton Crawford, Wilson Delgado, Lenny Dykstra, Johnny Damon, Carl Everett, Kyle Farnsoworth, Ryan Franklin, Troy Glaus, Rich Garces, Jason Grimsley, Troy Glaus, Juan Gonzalez, Eric Gagne, Nomar Garciaparra, Jason Giambi, Jeremy Giambi,
Jose Guillen, Jay Gibbons, Juan Gonzalez, Clay Hensley, Jerry Hairston, Felix Heredia, Jr., Darren Holmes, Wally Joyner, Darryl Kile, Matt Lawton, Raul Mondesi, Mark McGwire, Guillermo Mota, Robert Machado, Damian Moss, Abraham Nunez, Trot Nixon, Jose Offerman, Andy Pettitte, Mark Prior, Neifi Perez, Rafael Palmiero, Albert Pujols, Brian Roberts, Juan Rincon, John Rocker
Pudge Rodriguez, Sammy Sosa, Scott Schoenweiis, David Segui, Alex Sanchez, Gary Sheffield, Miguel Tejada, Julian Tavarez,Fernando Tatis, Maurice Vaughn, IJason Varitek, Ismael Valdez, Matt Williams and Kerry Wood."
And for you confused readers, here is Samantha's response:
"I don't understand. what is it? some alphabetical list of baseball players?"
Turns out, an alphabetical list of players is exactly what my dad suggested:
"NO ASTERISKS NEEDED, EVERYONE WAS ON THE JUICE!"
-t
Probably not a big deal, as I doubt I'm going to get significant traffic between the time I post this and the release of the actual report by Senator George Mitchell.
I forwarded it to Samantha and to my dad, because I figured they'd be interested.
Anyway, here's the list:
"Brady Anderson, Manny Alexander, Rick Ankiel, Jeff Bagwell, Barry Bonds, Aaron Boone, Rafaeil Bettancourt, Bret Boone, Milton Bradley, David Bell, Dante Bichette, Albert Belle, Paul Byrd, Wil Cordero, Ken Caminiti, Mike Cameron, Ramon Castro, Jose and Ozzie Canseco, Roger Clemens, Paxton Crawford, Wilson Delgado, Lenny Dykstra, Johnny Damon, Carl Everett, Kyle Farnsoworth, Ryan Franklin, Troy Glaus, Rich Garces, Jason Grimsley, Troy Glaus, Juan Gonzalez, Eric Gagne, Nomar Garciaparra, Jason Giambi, Jeremy Giambi,
Jose Guillen, Jay Gibbons, Juan Gonzalez, Clay Hensley, Jerry Hairston, Felix Heredia, Jr., Darren Holmes, Wally Joyner, Darryl Kile, Matt Lawton, Raul Mondesi, Mark McGwire, Guillermo Mota, Robert Machado, Damian Moss, Abraham Nunez, Trot Nixon, Jose Offerman, Andy Pettitte, Mark Prior, Neifi Perez, Rafael Palmiero, Albert Pujols, Brian Roberts, Juan Rincon, John Rocker
Pudge Rodriguez, Sammy Sosa, Scott Schoenweiis, David Segui, Alex Sanchez, Gary Sheffield, Miguel Tejada, Julian Tavarez,Fernando Tatis, Maurice Vaughn, IJason Varitek, Ismael Valdez, Matt Williams and Kerry Wood."
And for you confused readers, here is Samantha's response:
"I don't understand. what is it? some alphabetical list of baseball players?"
Turns out, an alphabetical list of players is exactly what my dad suggested:
"NO ASTERISKS NEEDED, EVERYONE WAS ON THE JUICE!"
-t
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Sweep Dreams: An Open Letter to the Red Sox*
Dear Boston Red Sox,
Please sweep the Rockies in the World Series. Firstly, because it would be awesome. Secondly, because these three-hour-plus games and post-game press conferences and analysis are really, really, cutting into my normal sleep schedule.
It's not bad at all during the regular season when NESN carries the games, and they start at the very reasonable time of 7 PM (EST). Then even a four hour game will see me in bed well before midnight satiated, full to the brim of good baseball and wise, thoughtful, well-produced post-game commentary by the studio team of Caron, Remy, and Eckersley.
It is bad when Fox, with their late start times, pandering to their West Coast audience, broadcasts these games. When the first pitch is thrown at 8:15 PM (EST), (or even later!) even a much quicker three-and-one-half-hour game is pushing the midnight envelope. I'm lucky to be in bed by half-past twelve, or asleep by one o'clock!
Now, as a baseball fan, I am compelled, hard-wired, you could say, to watch every pitch, every at-bat, every, single out of playoff baseball, I would continue to do so even if the series went to seven games, each one decided in not less than six hours, lasting no fewer than twenty-three innings. It would ruin me, physically - and probably get me fired - but I would do it.
But, I am asking, instead, that you, Boston Red Sox, please sweep the World Series, so as to maximize both my happiness, and my well-restedness.
Thank you,
Tom
*Thanks to Tyler for the updated title.
Please sweep the Rockies in the World Series. Firstly, because it would be awesome. Secondly, because these three-hour-plus games and post-game press conferences and analysis are really, really, cutting into my normal sleep schedule.
It's not bad at all during the regular season when NESN carries the games, and they start at the very reasonable time of 7 PM (EST). Then even a four hour game will see me in bed well before midnight satiated, full to the brim of good baseball and wise, thoughtful, well-produced post-game commentary by the studio team of Caron, Remy, and Eckersley.
It is bad when Fox, with their late start times, pandering to their West Coast audience, broadcasts these games. When the first pitch is thrown at 8:15 PM (EST), (or even later!) even a much quicker three-and-one-half-hour game is pushing the midnight envelope. I'm lucky to be in bed by half-past twelve, or asleep by one o'clock!
Now, as a baseball fan, I am compelled, hard-wired, you could say, to watch every pitch, every at-bat, every, single out of playoff baseball, I would continue to do so even if the series went to seven games, each one decided in not less than six hours, lasting no fewer than twenty-three innings. It would ruin me, physically - and probably get me fired - but I would do it.
But, I am asking, instead, that you, Boston Red Sox, please sweep the World Series, so as to maximize both my happiness, and my well-restedness.
Thank you,
Tom
*Thanks to Tyler for the updated title.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Blogtoberfest: Update
A few headlines, and a quick update on this post from last week:
THE RED SOX ARE THE 2007 AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPS!
JENNY FRAZIER MAKES 'TOP TEN PARTY FOULS OF 2007' LIST!
Seriously, Jenny, Blogtoberfest couldn't have been scheduled for some Thursday in November when there's zero chance of the Red Sox playing a meaningful game? I mean, that could work, right?
Also, to those who commented on the earlier post, Eileen, regarding jinxing Boston's chances of making it, I would just like to reiterate: I know where the line is, and I was well behind it. Well behind.
THE RED SOX ARE THE 2007 AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPS!
JENNY FRAZIER MAKES 'TOP TEN PARTY FOULS OF 2007' LIST!
Seriously, Jenny, Blogtoberfest couldn't have been scheduled for some Thursday in November when there's zero chance of the Red Sox playing a meaningful game? I mean, that could work, right?
Also, to those who commented on the earlier post, Eileen, regarding jinxing Boston's chances of making it, I would just like to reiterate: I know where the line is, and I was well behind it. Well behind.
Doubting Thomas
Ok, I feel like I have to be honest with you, readers.
Watching this live, there was a split second, one tiny, minute, very, very, small, fraction of time when I thought, maybe, Coco wasn't going to catch this one. That, maybe, this ball was going to drop over his glove, and bounce.
It's right when he changes direction. You can see him making a beeline for this ball, and just as he reaches the track, curling out, toward the triangle.
This catch, I think, is both a demonstration of his reknowned speed and athleticism, and symbolic of his character: Crisp put it on the line, smashing into the wall, not because he's been playing there everyday, but in spite of being a defensive replacement.
I didn't see one interview with Crisp after the game. I saw Papelbon, Youkilis, and Pedroia on three different networks; I saw Ortiz and Ramirez; I saw Francona, Epstein, Werner, and Henry.
I'm gonna be pissed if Crisp doesn't walk away with the Gold Glove this season.
-t
I was looking for a highlight reel of Crisp's catches this season. I found this.
(and, ok, ok, there are a bunch of videos with Crisp on NESN. Way to go NESN! including some post-game interviews.)
Watching this live, there was a split second, one tiny, minute, very, very, small, fraction of time when I thought, maybe, Coco wasn't going to catch this one. That, maybe, this ball was going to drop over his glove, and bounce.
It's right when he changes direction. You can see him making a beeline for this ball, and just as he reaches the track, curling out, toward the triangle.
This catch, I think, is both a demonstration of his reknowned speed and athleticism, and symbolic of his character: Crisp put it on the line, smashing into the wall, not because he's been playing there everyday, but in spite of being a defensive replacement.
I didn't see one interview with Crisp after the game. I saw Papelbon, Youkilis, and Pedroia on three different networks; I saw Ortiz and Ramirez; I saw Francona, Epstein, Werner, and Henry.
I'm gonna be pissed if Crisp doesn't walk away with the Gold Glove this season.
-t
I was looking for a highlight reel of Crisp's catches this season. I found this.
(and, ok, ok, there are a bunch of videos with Crisp on NESN. Way to go NESN! including some post-game interviews.)
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Blogtoberfest, the second!
Ok, folks, just an f.y.i. to you baseball fans...who I know are out there...
Blogtoberfest is scheduled for Thursday October 25th.
World Series, Game 2, is also scheduled for October 25th.
The party starts at six. The game starts at eight.
I'm just sayin.
You know.
Be aware.
This has "Party Foul of the Year" potential all-over it.
I'll be parked under the television for the first pitch. Do come join me, it's a great game.
-t
Blogtoberfest is scheduled for Thursday October 25th.
World Series, Game 2, is also scheduled for October 25th.
The party starts at six. The game starts at eight.
I'm just sayin.
You know.
Be aware.
This has "Party Foul of the Year" potential all-over it.
I'll be parked under the television for the first pitch. Do come join me, it's a great game.
-t
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Foresight
I'd just like to go on the record as saying I'm totally OK with paying through the nose this offseason to get A-Rod to come play third base for us. Or shortstop. Or second base. Or first. Or closer.
I like Mike Lowell at third base. He's having a hell of a year. I'd be totally ok with extending his contract through 2009 or 2010 and letting him retire in Boston.
But I'm also totally ok with replacing him with maybe the greatest baseball player in the history of baseball. I've hated A-Rod since he became a Yankee. I will continue to hate him as long as he's a Yankee or playing in the American League East - but man, how messed up are you if you don't want him playing on your hometown nine? He's practically a force of nature! The numbers! They're incredible! Can you even comprehend what sort of offense Ortiz-Ramirez-Rodriguez would generate? I can't. I'm telling you, I cannot comprehend it. Hell, A-Rod would make J.D. Drew a better hitter!
So, Theo, I totally trust you, and only want to let you know, there is at least one fan who gets that putting Alex Rodriguez on the payroll would be freakin' awesome.
For clarity's sake, however, (and my Boston reader's sanity) I will reiterate the following:
Just wanted to get that out there.
I like Mike Lowell at third base. He's having a hell of a year. I'd be totally ok with extending his contract through 2009 or 2010 and letting him retire in Boston.
But I'm also totally ok with replacing him with maybe the greatest baseball player in the history of baseball. I've hated A-Rod since he became a Yankee. I will continue to hate him as long as he's a Yankee or playing in the American League East - but man, how messed up are you if you don't want him playing on your hometown nine? He's practically a force of nature! The numbers! They're incredible! Can you even comprehend what sort of offense Ortiz-Ramirez-Rodriguez would generate? I can't. I'm telling you, I cannot comprehend it. Hell, A-Rod would make J.D. Drew a better hitter!
So, Theo, I totally trust you, and only want to let you know, there is at least one fan who gets that putting Alex Rodriguez on the payroll would be freakin' awesome.
For clarity's sake, however, (and my Boston reader's sanity) I will reiterate the following:
- I hate Jeter, and will hate Jeter now matter how long he plays or how many different teams he plays for (Ha. Right. Like Jeter is ever not going to be a Yankee).
- I hate Giambi. I have always hated Giambi.
- I hate the entire Yankee organization.
- I hope A-Rod doesn't get a clutch hit for the remainder of his tenure in New York, and I hope he commits three (costly) errors a game.
- Go Red Sox
Just wanted to get that out there.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Warning: Don't pick on the little guy
That's it for those of you who doubted: Pedroia's a ballplayer.
Alex Rodriguez made an "unnatural baseball move" on a slide breaking up a double play last night in the Red Sox 7-3 victory over the Yankees, throwing his elbow into Dustin Pedroia's hip as Pedroia attempted a throw to first base.
Was it a cheap slide? In my opinion, no. It was a hard aggressive, yes, slightly unnatural slide, not "honorable" but not "cheap" either.
But, the nice thing about baseball is there's a proven remedy for this very thing: Throw at a guy's face.
Pedroia's post game comment (emphasis added):
"He went in late and kind of threw an elbow. It was a little cheap but no big deal. I’ll remember. I play second base. I’ve got to turn two with the Yankees 19 times a year, so I know now when he’s coming in, my (arm) slot gets dropped to the floor. That’s it."
A-Rod running toward you in the way of a throw? Aim for his head. He won't try it again.
So, here's hoping it's Pedroia, and not Schilling, who gets to deliver the message tonight.
Pedroia concluded: "He probably got carried away but it happens. He was trying to help his team win. I’m just trying to turn a double play. I’ll get killed if I have to. I’m just trying to get that out.
Alex Rodriguez was apparently not available for comment.
-t
Alex Rodriguez made an "unnatural baseball move" on a slide breaking up a double play last night in the Red Sox 7-3 victory over the Yankees, throwing his elbow into Dustin Pedroia's hip as Pedroia attempted a throw to first base.
Was it a cheap slide? In my opinion, no. It was a hard aggressive, yes, slightly unnatural slide, not "honorable" but not "cheap" either.
But, the nice thing about baseball is there's a proven remedy for this very thing: Throw at a guy's face.
Pedroia's post game comment (emphasis added):
"He went in late and kind of threw an elbow. It was a little cheap but no big deal. I’ll remember. I play second base. I’ve got to turn two with the Yankees 19 times a year, so I know now when he’s coming in, my (arm) slot gets dropped to the floor. That’s it."
A-Rod running toward you in the way of a throw? Aim for his head. He won't try it again.
So, here's hoping it's Pedroia, and not Schilling, who gets to deliver the message tonight.
Pedroia concluded: "He probably got carried away but it happens. He was trying to help his team win. I’m just trying to turn a double play. I’ll get killed if I have to. I’m just trying to get that out.
Alex Rodriguez was apparently not available for comment.
-t
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Sox lose in NY, help Boston fans rediscover themselves
Oh thank goodness. Sox get hammered in New York, 6-2
We can all go back to being worried again. I'm telling you, I couldn't take it.
Last week I had to listen to a caller on WEEI Sports Radio complain that Pedroia was getting too much playing time. The rookie second baseman with the flashy leather work who's been hitting .400 for two weeks? Too much time?
If we're not losing to the Yankees we've got nothing to talk about! I mean come on! Schilling hasn't said something controversial in support of President Bush, or taken Bonds to task, or mouthed off at the New York fans for weeks! Weeks!
But now! Now, Wakefield's ERA is climbing back up to familiar territory, folks are starting to pay attention to Manny's demise at the plate, and we've lost our double-digit lead in the AL East.
(The only reason, btw, the lead was double digits is because we're the only team in the division playing over .500 baseball)
But now! It looks like the Yankees have pitching back! Not all the way back, I grant you, but Wang didn't look terrible last night (well, he didn't look great during the game - something like 73 pitches through three innings) but up on the scoreboard he looked just fine.
Their bullpen didn't implode. Their lineup hit multiple home runs .
We can start to worry again!
I don't know what I would have done otherwise. If we'd gone into New York and swept the series? (Well, I would have done cartwheels), but then I would have lamented the loss fear mongering and scathing criticisms from our Boston sportswriters. Radio callers suggesting wild trades, J.D. Drew bashing.
We can't run away with the division, it's not good for our psyche. We're not the Braves of the nineties.
We need the worry.
-t
Monday, May 07, 2007
Tim McCarver, no longer sucks as a person (still sucks as color guy):
Hi, do you know me? I'm the Red Sox fan that hates Tim McCarver (and, parenthetically, Joe Buck). I hate his voice, I hate his pro-Yankee, anti-Red Sox slant, I hate his anecdotes.
But I just read something at Red Sox Chick that may redeem him:
"[I was] Watching the Yankees/Mariners game on Fox yesterday, Ken Rosenthal came out and said that it was a no-brainer, if Clemens wants to win another World Series, he goes to the Red Sox. Buck came back talking about how it wasn't about money and McCarver responded with "If it isn't about money, let him play for nothing.".
Tim McCarver has the Rocket's number."
Wow. I mean, come on, wow.
We all know Clemens needed to make a statement. The $28 million is the largest contract ever signed, which is exactly why it had to be $28 million - it's not the number "28" it's the adjective phrase "largest in the history of baseball."
Clemens is never going to retire. He won't stop playing until someone (probably in the Yankees organization) arranges for him to be cast in bronze (probably live, in the middle of an outing in front of thousands in the house that Ruth built).
I have no doubt the Yankees will put it back together by July. No doubt that every single one of their injured starters will come back to the regular rotation just in time to make a run for the pennant. They're the Yankees, it's what they pay to do.
But I can't see Clemens factoring in. All the numbers suggest he'll be a pitcher to match up against opposing front-of-the-rotation guys as only a five- to six-inning starter (albeit with a superb ERA), which bodes ill for the Yankees bullpen. I don't see how that's much different than what they were planning on with Igawa every fifth day, minus the shades.
The Red Sox already have a fifth starter averaging five innings at the back of their rotation, and (if I've estimated correctly) he's costing John Henry & Co. forty-five million dollars less than the luxury tax Steinbrenner is paying on the Rocket's contract.
And Tavarez this year is the guy the Red Sox have trotted out to throw against opposing aces Chien-Ming Wang, Johan Santana, and Roy Halladay (twice), and has gone 1-2 against them, not too shabby for a fifth starter.
The Yankees will win games because they've got the most powerful lineup in the bigs, top to bottom.
The Rocket will reclaim fame, notoriety, and infamy, because his ego won't let it be otherwise.
The Red Sox will win the World Series.
-t
But I just read something at Red Sox Chick that may redeem him:
"[I was] Watching the Yankees/Mariners game on Fox yesterday, Ken Rosenthal came out and said that it was a no-brainer, if Clemens wants to win another World Series, he goes to the Red Sox. Buck came back talking about how it wasn't about money and McCarver responded with "If it isn't about money, let him play for nothing.".
Tim McCarver has the Rocket's number."
Wow. I mean, come on, wow.
We all know Clemens needed to make a statement. The $28 million is the largest contract ever signed, which is exactly why it had to be $28 million - it's not the number "28" it's the adjective phrase "largest in the history of baseball."
Clemens is never going to retire. He won't stop playing until someone (probably in the Yankees organization) arranges for him to be cast in bronze (probably live, in the middle of an outing in front of thousands in the house that Ruth built).
I have no doubt the Yankees will put it back together by July. No doubt that every single one of their injured starters will come back to the regular rotation just in time to make a run for the pennant. They're the Yankees, it's what they pay to do.
But I can't see Clemens factoring in. All the numbers suggest he'll be a pitcher to match up against opposing front-of-the-rotation guys as only a five- to six-inning starter (albeit with a superb ERA), which bodes ill for the Yankees bullpen. I don't see how that's much different than what they were planning on with Igawa every fifth day, minus the shades.
The Red Sox already have a fifth starter averaging five innings at the back of their rotation, and (if I've estimated correctly) he's costing John Henry & Co. forty-five million dollars less than the luxury tax Steinbrenner is paying on the Rocket's contract.
And Tavarez this year is the guy the Red Sox have trotted out to throw against opposing aces Chien-Ming Wang, Johan Santana, and Roy Halladay (twice), and has gone 1-2 against them, not too shabby for a fifth starter.
The Yankees will win games because they've got the most powerful lineup in the bigs, top to bottom.
The Rocket will reclaim fame, notoriety, and infamy, because his ego won't let it be otherwise.
The Red Sox will win the World Series.
-t
I think Roger Clemens is a little confused:
I can't really explain it. Maybe Clemens hasn't actually been watching American League baseball since he retired to Texas...
Some snips from yesterday's press conference announcing Clemens has signed with the New York Yankees:
1. During his press conference, Clemens called Derek Jeter the greatest clutch hitter he's ever played with.
No, Roger, you're thinking of Big Papi, David Ortiz, of the Red Sox .
2. He said he could now hand the ball to the greatest reliever in the game, Mariano Rivera.
No, Roger, you're thinking of Jonathan Papelbon, of the Red Sox.
3. "Make no mistake," Clemens said later, "I'm here to help this franchise do the only thing it knows how to do, win a championship..."
Oops, it looks like you're the one who made the mistake, Roger - once again, you mean the Red Sox.
I'd like to be at the game when he realizes he's playing for the wrong team.
They've got full audio of the press conference over at LoHud.
Some snips from yesterday's press conference announcing Clemens has signed with the New York Yankees:
1. During his press conference, Clemens called Derek Jeter the greatest clutch hitter he's ever played with.
No, Roger, you're thinking of Big Papi, David Ortiz, of the Red Sox .
2. He said he could now hand the ball to the greatest reliever in the game, Mariano Rivera.
No, Roger, you're thinking of Jonathan Papelbon, of the Red Sox.
3. "Make no mistake," Clemens said later, "I'm here to help this franchise do the only thing it knows how to do, win a championship..."
Oops, it looks like you're the one who made the mistake, Roger - once again, you mean the Red Sox.
I'd like to be at the game when he realizes he's playing for the wrong team.
They've got full audio of the press conference over at LoHud.
Friday, May 04, 2007
Thoughts On: Benedict Brady and the Wild Thing*
Hey, this is just a quick sports related post.
Regarding Tom Brady and his Yankee cap:
Brady can wear whatever the hell he wants off the field as long as he keeps winning Super Bowls in a Patriot's uniform.
And that is where I stand on the matter.
Also, I think all of us following the Red Sox were really hoping Daisuke Matsuzaka's control would rub off on his new best friend Julian Tavarez, and not the other way around.
(Do I get the prize for "most obvious joke"?)
-t
*anybody know the Japanese equivalent for "Wild Thing"? Laura?
Regarding Tom Brady and his Yankee cap:
Brady can wear whatever the hell he wants off the field as long as he keeps winning Super Bowls in a Patriot's uniform.
And that is where I stand on the matter.
Also, I think all of us following the Red Sox were really hoping Daisuke Matsuzaka's control would rub off on his new best friend Julian Tavarez, and not the other way around.
(Do I get the prize for "most obvious joke"?)
-t
*anybody know the Japanese equivalent for "Wild Thing"? Laura?
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Round the Horn
NFL:
I've got to be honest with you. I'm buying into the hype. This piece over at the Herald really primed the pump, and I'm all set to see the Patriots score 115 touchdowns this season.
MLB:
And the Sox are in first in the AL East with the second-best record in baseball.
NBA:
I stayed up Sunday night to watch Golden State beat Dallas and take a 3-1 series lead. I'm pumped. I hate Dirk, and Cuban's really getting on my nerves. What is that, a playoff goatee? Stick to running your billion dollar financial empire, Cuban, leave the gross-looking facial hair to the guys on the court. And buy a suit, for crying out loud, or at least launder that faded navy blue t-shirt you've been wearing to every game.
Much as I hate to say it, the Suns probably take the title this year.
NHL:
Meh. It'd be nice for Drury to win a title with Buffalo. But I really don't care much at all. The NHL has too many teams, too long a season, and too few viewers. Open-up the ice (yes, even more), concentrate your talent pool, and stop putting expansion teams in the desert. (Actually, do whatever you want. I'm never going to get invested enough to muster real anger until the Bruins make the finals. I'd say that's about ten years from happening).
All other sports:
Are great.
-t
I've got to be honest with you. I'm buying into the hype. This piece over at the Herald really primed the pump, and I'm all set to see the Patriots score 115 touchdowns this season.
MLB:
And the Sox are in first in the AL East with the second-best record in baseball.
NBA:
I stayed up Sunday night to watch Golden State beat Dallas and take a 3-1 series lead. I'm pumped. I hate Dirk, and Cuban's really getting on my nerves. What is that, a playoff goatee? Stick to running your billion dollar financial empire, Cuban, leave the gross-looking facial hair to the guys on the court. And buy a suit, for crying out loud, or at least launder that faded navy blue t-shirt you've been wearing to every game.
Much as I hate to say it, the Suns probably take the title this year.
NHL:
Meh. It'd be nice for Drury to win a title with Buffalo. But I really don't care much at all. The NHL has too many teams, too long a season, and too few viewers. Open-up the ice (yes, even more), concentrate your talent pool, and stop putting expansion teams in the desert. (Actually, do whatever you want. I'm never going to get invested enough to muster real anger until the Bruins make the finals. I'd say that's about ten years from happening).
All other sports:
Are great.
-t
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Interview
Eileen from Divine Comedy of Errors asked me a few questions:
1. If you were in charge of the Red Sox and had unlimited funds to sign one player, who would you choose? Assume all current MLB players are available.
- I'll point you to my earlier post, Another Impossible Dream?. I'd sign Alex Rodriguez with absolutely no hesitation to a six year deal, minimum. and move him back to shortstop. I'd trade Lugo for a power-hitting first baseman (Helton? Might need a third team on the deal, the Rockies need pitching more than a shortstop - I'd probably platoon Helton with Youk for half the season, reevaluate after the All Star break, then use Helton or Lowell as trade bait to deal with needs).
If not A-Rod, I'd sign Johan Santana for another ten years. Beckett, Santana, and Matsuzaka would mean fifty-four to sixty wins a season for plenty of years.
2. If you switched careers, what would your new job be? (stay with the realm of plausibility for this one)
-Teacher, I like to teach, and I'm super good at messing with their young impressionable minds.
I'm not a teacher because I need money to buy a house and, you know, food.
3. Who was the best teacher you ever had?
-Brother Fred Eid, high school, freshman, junior, and senior year. He taught math, art, and moderated the newspaper and photography club. His presentation on limits is the reason I majored in math. He moved like a hummingbird, never wasted one moment, moving from the classroom to the news room to the studio to the athletic field and back. He probably didn't sleep. He was a gifted artist and educator, and if I had half of his energy you'd all think I was a coke fiend.
4. If you had to live in a foreign country for the rest of your life, which one would it be?
-Ireland - I hear the Guiness tastes better there. -or-
Japan - super technologically advanced, volcanoes, earthquakes, giant mutated lizards - yeah, I could totally handle living in Japan.
5. Do you have any unusual pet peeves?
-Not that I'm aware of. I hate stupid people, and Yankee fans, but I don't think that's unusual.
Ah. Driviers making poorly, or incorretly executed left-hand turns. Drives me crazy. Enter the intesection, then proceed with your turn, don't cut off oncoming traffic trying to get over! GAH!
Turning Left
When making any left turn, you must first yield
the right-of-way to any...
• Oncoming vehicle
• Vehicle already in the intersection
• Pedestrians or bicyclists crossing your
intended path of travel
from Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles Rules of the Road chapter 4
Ok, that's it, want to play along? Rules of the game:
1. Send an email saying, “Interview me”, or words to that effect.
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions of my choosing.
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You have to include this explanation, and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions...
1. If you were in charge of the Red Sox and had unlimited funds to sign one player, who would you choose? Assume all current MLB players are available.
- I'll point you to my earlier post, Another Impossible Dream?. I'd sign Alex Rodriguez with absolutely no hesitation to a six year deal, minimum. and move him back to shortstop. I'd trade Lugo for a power-hitting first baseman (Helton? Might need a third team on the deal, the Rockies need pitching more than a shortstop - I'd probably platoon Helton with Youk for half the season, reevaluate after the All Star break, then use Helton or Lowell as trade bait to deal with needs).
If not A-Rod, I'd sign Johan Santana for another ten years. Beckett, Santana, and Matsuzaka would mean fifty-four to sixty wins a season for plenty of years.
2. If you switched careers, what would your new job be? (stay with the realm of plausibility for this one)
-Teacher, I like to teach, and I'm super good at messing with their young impressionable minds.
I'm not a teacher because I need money to buy a house and, you know, food.
3. Who was the best teacher you ever had?
-Brother Fred Eid, high school, freshman, junior, and senior year. He taught math, art, and moderated the newspaper and photography club. His presentation on limits is the reason I majored in math. He moved like a hummingbird, never wasted one moment, moving from the classroom to the news room to the studio to the athletic field and back. He probably didn't sleep. He was a gifted artist and educator, and if I had half of his energy you'd all think I was a coke fiend.
4. If you had to live in a foreign country for the rest of your life, which one would it be?
-Ireland - I hear the Guiness tastes better there. -or-
Japan - super technologically advanced, volcanoes, earthquakes, giant mutated lizards - yeah, I could totally handle living in Japan.
5. Do you have any unusual pet peeves?
-Not that I'm aware of. I hate stupid people, and Yankee fans, but I don't think that's unusual.
Ah. Driviers making poorly, or incorretly executed left-hand turns. Drives me crazy. Enter the intesection, then proceed with your turn, don't cut off oncoming traffic trying to get over! GAH!
Turning Left
When making any left turn, you must first yield
the right-of-way to any...
• Oncoming vehicle
• Vehicle already in the intersection
• Pedestrians or bicyclists crossing your
intended path of travel
from Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles Rules of the Road chapter 4
Ok, that's it, want to play along? Rules of the game:
1. Send an email saying, “Interview me”, or words to that effect.
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions of my choosing.
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You have to include this explanation, and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions...
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